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Federal Aid For Indiana Spring Floods And Tornadoes Tops $175 Million

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Federal disaster assistance for Indiana resulting from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 30 through June 27, 2008 now stands at $175.2 million. The assistance is in the form of grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The June presidential disaster declaration came in the midst of an unprecedented series of weather events that brought devastation to many areas of the state. Scenes of tornado destruction in locations such as Indianapolis, Moscow, Edinburgh and Camp Atterbury, along with heavy flooding in Columbus, Franklin, Martinsville and numerous other Indiana cities and towns are still vivid in the minds of most Hoosiers. As a result of the damage, 40 counties were made eligible for Individual Assistance (IA) and 46 counties eligible for Public Assistance (PA) from FEMA.

A total of 17,850 applicants have received more than $55.5 million in IA grants. This includes $46.3 million to temporarily house disaster victims or repair their homes. The total also includes $9.2 million for Other Needs Assistance (ONA). These grants go to individuals for replacement of certain personal property items such as furniture and clothing lost in the disaster. It can also include transportation, moving and storage, medical, dental and other disaster related expenses.

Indiana infrastructure was also greatly impacted by the disaster. To date, FEMA has obligated more than $46.6 million for PA projects. These projects include the repair of roads, bridges, buildings and other damaged public facilities. It also includes the reimbursement of state, local governments and certain private nonprofit agencies for disaster related expenses such as emergency protective measures and debris removal.

The SBA, one of FEMA's primary partners in disaster recovery, has provided more than $73.1 million in disaster loans to Indiana homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.